Comparing the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on the Quality of Life of Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Background:
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that significantly impairs patients’ quality of life (QoL) due to recurrent relapses, extraintestinal symptoms, and concerns about complications. Despite the importance of psychological and social factors in disease management, these aspects are often overlooked. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on the QoL in patients with UC.

Materials and Methods:
In this quasi-experimental design, 44 patients with UC were randomly assigned to three groups: CBT (n=12), ACT (n=16), and control (n=16). All three groups participated in 8 weekly online group sessions. The intervention for the control group consisted of supportive and educational discussions without specific psychotherapeutic content. QoL was assessed using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 6-week follow-up.

Results:
The results showed that the ACT group experienced a significant improvement in QoL at both post-intervention and follow-up compared with the control group (P<0.05). No significant change was observed in the CBT group. There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics among the groups, and no significant difference was found between the ACT and CBT groups at any assessment point.

Conclusion:
ACT appears to be an effective approach for improving the QoL in patients with UC. These findings highlight the importance of integrating psychological interventions alongside medical treatment for patients with chronic diseases.